More than £87,000 is being distributed in the latest rounds of Operation Watershed Active Communities Fund awards.
Nine projects will benefit from the county council fund, which encourages communities to act against flooding.
Roger Elkins, Cabinet Member for Highways and Infrastructure, said: “Since starting in 2013, Operation Watershed has funded more than 360 projects to a value in excess of £3.3million. It has an excellent track record in helping communities to take action against flooding risk, working with nearly 150 groups over the years.”
All nine of the awards – that’s five in February and four more this month – will help reduce flood risk and improve drainage capacity.
The latest awards are to:
Ansty & Staplefield Parish Council – for tackling drainage issues on Staplefield Play Park. It will involve installing a new drainage system, comprising trenches covered with shingle.
Award: £2,457
Findon Parish Council – improving surface water drainage in Stable Lane by installing a new soakaway on the county council-owned verge adjacent to a road gully and undertaking pipe lining repair works.
Award: £7,240
Fittleworth Parish Council – the road at Little Bognor is susceptible to flooding in heavy rain. This project will include replacing the existing culvert and installing a screen to catch debris, so it is easier for volunteers to keep clear.
Award: £4,862
Friends of Middleton on Sea Pond and Green Charity – Middleton Pond is an attenuation pond, acting as a holding tank during high surface water levels. The project will involve de-silting the pond for capacity in extreme weather, clearing adjoining ditches and shoring-up the banks for a smooth flow of water.
Award: £20,210
The February awards were:
Ashurst Parish Council – the B2135 north of Ashurst has been subject to flooding in persistent rainfall (see picture). The project will include installation of a culvert and creating a ditch for increased capacity for water to flow.
Award: £8,376
Ashurst Village Hall car park drainage scheme: installation of a new drainage gully and connection to the existing culvert to prevent surface water and mud collecting in the car park.
Award: £4,845
Birdham Parish Council – for reinforcing the west bank of the ditch adjacent to the Saltings, Crooked Lane, and installation of new bank protection to prevent further erosion and possible collapse.
Award: £14,552
Birdham Parish Council – improvements to the western drain in Crooked Lane and other measures, including clearing and reinstating a ditch line.
Award: £16,972
Rusper Parish Council – installation of culverting, ditch work and other measures to tackle flooding issue in Wimland Road.
Award: £7,684
More details about Operation Watershed Active Communities Fund can be found online
The web page includes two short films, so you can hear from Chidham and Hambrook Parish Council on how Operation Watershed has helped them and the Parish Ditch Warden to keep the local community informed and reduce the risk of flooding.
You can also hear from Pulborough Parish Council on how they worked in partnership with Horsham Wardens and Operation Watershed to help significantly reduce flooding in a well-used community area.
